County by county briefs for Saturday

Brett McClung, a Marietta CPA, was selected as the group’s interim chairman. A permanent leader could be selected after three panel members are approved by the commission next month.

The committee’s deadline for submitting its recommendations to commissioners is June 28. The group is scheduled to be dissolved at the end of the year unless commissioners extend their work. Janel Davis

Sanders Elementary to be renovated

The Cobb school board last week approved Reliant Construction of Alpharetta to perform renovations at Sanders Elementary in Austell. The $568,000 approved contract was 39 percent below original budgeted estimates, according to district officials. The work is expected to be completed by July 18. Renovations include interior and exterior painting, floor covering replacement and replacement of playground equipment. Jaime Sarrio

Kennesaw chosen for new gun range

City officials announced that the Sandy Springs Gun Club and Range has chosen Kennesaw as the site for a new, $3.8 million, 23,000-square-foot gun range expected to be completed by the end of this year. Kennesaw officials say they hope it will help boost the local economy. The new range will be located at the intersection of Kennesaw Due West Road and Cobb Parkway. Information: 770-394-4897 or www.sandyspringsshootingrange.com Rich McKay

Ott to hold town hall meeting April 6

Cobb County Commissioner Bob Ott will host a public meeting April 6 to discuss Cobb County’s budget.

Cobb is facing a $31 million mid-year budget deficit. Recommendations for closing the gap include employee furlough days, reducing bus service, cutting hours at senior centers and libraries, selling properties and reducing money for nonprofit organizations. Commissioners are scheduled to vote on a revised budget April 12.

The town hall meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Smyrna Community Center at 200 Village Green Circle. Information: visit www.cobbcounty.org/ott Janel Davis

Southern Museum offers kids reduced admission

The Southern Museum in Kennesaw will offer free and or reduced admission for children who are 8 or younger during the “Week of the Young Child” April 12-16. A variety of special programs geared toward children will be offered that week. Information: www.southernmuseum.org or 770-427-2117. Rich McKay

Smyrna group offers first aid training

The Smyrna Citizen Preparedness Initiative is offering a free first aid and CPR training class from 10 am to 12 p.m. April 16 at Smyrna Fire Headquarters 2620 Atlanta Road, Smyrna.

Additional classes on May 12, 7-9 p.m. at the Smyrna Emory Adventist Hospital and on , Aug. 6, 10 a.m. to noon at the Smyrna Fire Station 1. Reservation required. Information: www.supersmyrna.com Rich McKay

GWINNETT

Brookwood High’s Dees named principal of year

Brookwood High School principal Debbie Dees has been named as the 2011-12 Georgia High School Principal of the Year.

The title recognizes administrators that excel in educational leadership and make community service a priority.

Dees will advance to the national competition of the National Association of Secondary School Principals contest.

She has been a Gwinnett Schools administrator for a decade. Dees came to the district in 1990 as a teacher at Meadowcreek High. She is certified in educational leadership from the University of Georgia. D. Aileen Dodd

Repair work to close lanes on I-85 Sunday

Georgia Department of Transportation crews will repair potholes on southbound I-85 from Indian Trail Road to Beaver Ruin Road from 5 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday.

Three outside lanes will be closed while workers will replace the damaged asphalt. Travelers should call 511 for updated information. David Wickert

Meadowcreek students take top honors

A team of Meadowcreek High computer science students took top honors in a national Microsoft website design competition. The team, students in business education teacher Pintu Thaker’s class, were asked to design a website showing strategies to help improve the environment. The team members are: Valeria Cervantes, Erick Salgado, Yessica Trinidad and Caejawn Williams. D. Aileen Dodd

Snellville closes on ‘Wisteria Square’

Snellville has completed its purchase of a nearly 11-acre parcel of land that could be the linchpin for a new town center.

The city bought the property, known locally as “Wisteria Square,” for just under $700,000 from Synovus Bank.

City officials have floated the possibility of building an amphitheater, an interactive fountain or a mixed-use development on the property. Joel Anderson

Auburn’s community yard sale is April 9

Auburn will hold a community yard sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 9 downtown.

The event is free and open to the public. The cost is $10 to sell items.

Information: 770-963-4002, Ext. 223. David Wickert

Easter celebration at McDaniel Park April 16

Gwinnett County will sponsor an Easter celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 16 at McDaniel Farm Park, 3251 McDaniel Road, Duluth.

The event will feature a baby animal petting zoo and an Easter egg hunt. It is open to children age 4 and up. The cost is $6 per person. Pre-registration is advised. To register, call 770-814-4920. David Wickert

Gwinnett Braves to have Lilburn night

The City of Lilburn is calling baseball fans to attend Lilburn night at the Gwinnett Braves on June 16.

The Braves will take on the Durham Bulls at 7:05 p.m. that day at Coolray Field. Lilburn residents and employees can buy discounted tickets for the event.

Information: www.cityoflilburn.com. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Sandy Springs finishes solar systems at stations

Sandy Springs has announced the completion of solar electric and thermal systems at Fire Station Nos. 1 and 2, believed to be some of the first local government solar projects in the state.

A commissioning ceremony will be 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Fire Station No. 2 at 135 Johnson Ferry Road.

Morgan Constructors was the general contractor and FLS Energy was the solar contractor for the projects, according to the city.

Sandy Springs has also installed solar flashers at school crossing zones. Joel Anderson

Couple in Alpharetta rescued from fire

Alpharetta police and firefighters rescued a couple from a predawn fire at their Waters Mill Drive home on Friday.

A female resident called 911 around 1:30 a.m. to report her house was filled with smoke, according to Alpharetta public safety spokesman George Gordon. Upon arrival, authorities forced entry and rescued the husband and wife from an upstairs bathroom where they were awaiting help.

Several pets were also brought to safety. Andria Simmons

Input wanted on Community Block Grant

Johns Creek will soon be calling on residents to weigh in on how it should spend an estimated $190,000 in the federally funded Community Development Block Grant Program.

The City Council has adopted a schedule calling for a public hearing on the use of grant funds on April 25.

Also included will be a community workshop, comment periods and a final public hearing June 20 before the spending plan is adopted. Patrick Fox

Chamber has women’s networking breakfast

In a nod to spring, the Cumming- Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly Women Who Mean Business Networking get together in the lawn and garden center of the Walmart at 5455 Atlanta Highway, Alpharetta. The meetings are specifically for women in business, offering them a chance to mix and mingle and chat over a casual breakfast.

The meeting is 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. April 5.

Admission is free for chamber members, $30 for non-members. Information: (770)-887-6461. Jeffry Scott

Citizenship course starts Sunday

An eight-week course on passing the U.S. Citizenship Test starts Sunday at the Sandy Springs Branch library, 395 Mt. Vernon Hwy.

Sponsored by Jewish Family and Career Services, the class starts at 2 p.m. and will be held each Sunday through May 29, with the exception of April 24. Information: 404-303-6130. Johnny Edwards

Roswell begins vote on Green Hair Challenge

Roswell employees and residents have started voting in the Green Hair Challenge, a contest meant to raise funds and generate more awareness about the city’s sustainability goals.

Votes can be cast at www.keeproswellbeautiful.org or the Environmental/Public Works Department at Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill St. Voting costs $1 each and will take place through April 21.Joel Anderson

ATLANTA

Goldberg to address SCAD graduates

Whoopi Goldberg will address graduates from the Savannah College of Art and Design June 4, a college spokeswoman said Friday.

The comedian will first deliver the commencement address to graduates from the Savannah campus. Then she will travel to Atlanta and speak during the evening ceremony at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Goldberg has won multiple awards for her performances in movies, television and on Broadway. Laura Diamond

AABJ to hold Pioneer Awards Sunday

The Atlanta Association of Black Journalists will hold its 29th Pioneer Awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon. U.S. congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis will speak at the event, which will honor Xernona Clayton Brady, a broadcast executive, civil rights leader and founder of the Trumpet Awards. Other award recipients include journalists Janis Ware and Anare V. Holmes. The ceremony is from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Park Tavern, 500 10th St. NE. Tickets are $55 and available at aabj.org. Tracy Brown

City opens registration for summer camps

Atlanta is opening registration for Camp Best Friends, for kids ages 5-16. There will be four programs, including one residential camp, 12 day camps, and two teen camps. The cost is $65 a child per week for residents and $110 a week for non-residents. Financial assistance may be available for qualified applicants. Information: www.atlantaga.gov/Government/Parks.aspx Ernie Suggs

Customer shot at gas station near Spelman

A customer was shot at a gas station on Northside Drive near Spelman College Thursday.

The customer was approached by someone with a handgun who placed it on his chest and demanded money, then fired, Sgt. Curtis Davenport of the Atlanta Police Department told the AJC. The shooter drove away in the victim’s car, Davenport said. He said the victim was stable when taken to a hospital. Ty Tagami

DEKALB

Humanitarian summit at Emory this weekend

What are the world’s greatest humanitarian needs and how can you help?

People interested in helping others close to home or far away may benefit from the Global Health & Humanitarian Summit this weekend at Emory University. The free summit will feature speakers and more than 100 exhibits. It will address the world’s needs and innovative solutions. Topics include mental health, poverty, health, medical missions and homelessness.

Speakers include Dr. Neil Shulman, an author and associate professor at Emory’s School of Medicine and Dr. Patch Adams, founder of the Gesundheit! Foundation and an activist.

The program will be from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. today ; and 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Information: www.globalhumanitariansummit.org.

Shelia Poole

Police warn of extra vigilance in April

DeKalb County police are warning they will be extra vigilant in April and “engage in special enforcement measures.” In years past, the advent of spring has increased social activities, which affect traffic, safety and quality of life, police said. Therefore the department announced won’t tolerate any criminal behavior-- and that includes soccer moms -- whether misdemeanor, felony, city ordinance or traffic. Presumably police officers even could be ticketed. Steve Visser

Decatur approves funding for street repair

The Decatur City Commission recently approved a project funding of $72,028 to mill, repair and re-pave portions of five local streets this year. According to Assistant City Manager David Junger, this fund annually focuses on those streets with the most critical needs relating to asphalt breakage and pot holes. This year’s work totals 1.14 miles of repair and includes portions of Wimberly Court, East Pharr Road, Garland Avenue, Willow Lane and Greenwood Place.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Decatur looks for artists to paint wall

Decatur is looking for local artists to create a mural on the back wall of the West Howard Avenue Citgo gas station. The wall, facing the railroad tracks that parallel College Avenue, has long been the target for graffiti, according to Facilities Maintenance Superintendent Felix Floyd.

The murals project came about, Floyd said, because “there’s a code of honor among [graffitists], that they don’t tag other art.” The city will provide free paint for the project, and interested artists should contact the Superintendent at felix.floyd@decaturga.com. Bill Banks for the AJC

Celebration theme honor vets, families

Throughout April, DeKalb County will join counties across the nation in celebrating National County Government Month, where the National Association of Counties encourages people to promote county government programs and services. The 2011 theme is “Serving Our Veterans, Armed Forces and Their Families.”

Through Sunday is Interfaith Remembrance/Recognition Day where the community is asked to set aside time to publicly recognize past and present members of the armed forces. Staff reports

SOUTHSIDE

Schools set dates to register kindergartners

The Fulton County School System has set its spring kindergarten registration dates as May 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and May 5 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m, the system said Friday. During these two days, parents of incoming kindergarten students, as well as other new elementary students, can register their children for the 2011-12 school year. Registration will be at all Fulton County elementary schools. A list of required is at http://portal.fultonschools.org/About_Fulton/Pages/Registration.aspx. A notarized affidavit of residence also is mandatory for all students. Nancy Badertscher

East Point acquires downtown property

East Point has acquired a 1.08-acre site at 2791 East Point Street that could help spur downtown development. The purchase will serve as an opportunity for the possible expansion of City Hall. The building sits adjacent to the East Point City Hall. The property was purchased with a revenue bond issued in the principle amount of $1.15 million from the East Point Building Industrial Development Authority. John Thompson for the AJC

Work on Gateway Project to begin

East Point officials announced residents should soon see activity on the new Gateway Project. The project is at the intersection of Cleveland Avenue and Norman Berry Drive. Next week, work starts on removing an blighted, foreclosed building and replacing it with a senior living complex for residents 62 years and older. John Thompson for the AJC

Woman assaulted during home invasion

Police on Friday were looking for two armed home invaders who tied up and sexually assaulted a 24-year-old woman and caused a 13-year-old girl to jump from a second-story window in south Fulton County.

The suspects stole $5,000 in cash and a cell phone. They fled in a green Mercury Grand Marquis or Ford Crown Victoria with tinted windows and a damaged left tail light.

The incident took place after 9 p.m. Thursday in the 6500 block of Polar Fox Court, in the Fox Fire subdivision near Riverdale. Ty Tagami

Peachtree City couple donates to seniors

A Peachtree City couple has helped Fayette Senior Services, Inc. establish a fund to assist elderly Fayette residents with basic needs. Candy and Derrick Peacock donated $5,000 in memory of Candy’s mother, which was matched by a $5,000 grant from the Georgia Power Foundation. Information: www.FayetteLifeEnrichment.org or call Marie Doyle at (770) 461-0813. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette schools launch online site

The Fayette County Public School System has created an online site for accessing important school information from hand-held mobile devices that have Internet connectivity.

The site includes the most frequently accessed features of the Board of Education Web site, including phone numbers, calendars, closings, eBoard documents and employee e-mail.

The site is available at www.fcboe.mobi. Jill Howard Church for the AJC